Melbourne Victory Men claimed a vital three points in a thrilling clash with the Wellington Phoenix.
Spending a week out of action due to a scheduled bye round, Victory had to get back up to speed with a difficult away day in Wellington.
Arthur Diles made four changes to the side that beat the Original Rivals 5-3 at AAMI Park.
Ryan Teague, Jordi Valadon, Josh Rawlins and Nikos Vergos were all added to the starting XI, coming in for a crucial fixture.
Despite the week off, the Vuck flew out of the blocks and opened the scoring within the first few minutes.
A well-disguised pass by Daniel Arzani slipped Nishan Velupillay through on goal, who scored in his sixth-consecutive game for club and country with a beautifully placed finish.
Victory’s Socceroos pairing have been in exceptional form, linking up exceptionally well for a perfect beginning at Sky Stadium.
Despite Victory’s strong start, the Phoenix didn’t take long to respond after a quick attacking move was finished off by a darting run from deep by Corban Piper.
This was certainly frustrating for Victory, with the Nix scoring from their only shot on target in the first 45 minutes.
The home side was happy to sit deep and invite pressure, with Victory controlling 62% of possession and firing 15 shots at goal.
Nishan Velupillay would’ve been certain he had scored his brace in the 33rd minute, but Phoenix goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi pulled off an outrageous reaction save to deny the 23-year-old.
Oluwayemi was crucial to the Yellow and Black, recording five crucial saves to keep his side level.
However, the efforts of the English goalkeeper could only do so much to prevent Zinèdine Machach’s excellent headed effort from Nishan Velupillay’s corner delivery – providing Victory with a 2-1 lead heading into the break.
The Boys in Blue began the second 45 red hot, continuing their momentum into a massive half of football.
Picking up the ball deep in the defensive half, Nikos Vergos led a Victory counter-attack in the 50th minute and unleashed a rocket on goal after not being closed down by several surrounding Phoenix defenders.
His shot on goal took a kiss off the post before rippling the back of the net, firing Victory 3-1 ahead to stun the home supporters.
Shortly after, a sea of substitutions would be made.
The home side made a triple change to energise their team, while Ryan Teague was taken off for Reno Piscopo after suffering a knock earlier in the match.
The Phoenix began to push for possession and control in the game, seeing reward in the 75th minute.
A cutback from the right flank by Tim Payne fell to the feet of Paulo Retre, who curled his first-time effort into the top corner to pull one back for his side.
It was certainly a nervy remaining quarter of an hour for Victory to play out in front of a pumping Wellington crowd.
Replacing a player coming off due to injury concerns early in the half, Reno Piscopo was forced off in the 80th minute with a knock as frustrations grew for the Navy Blues.
Despite all the circumstances, Victory held strong amid the barrages on goal by the home side.
Lachlan Jackson impressed at the back with some crucial interventions, while Mitch Langerak pulled off multiple high claims and punches in the box to keep Victory ahead.
The final whistle was a welcomed sound for the Vuck, confirming a crucial win in New Zealand.
Adding three points to the tally, Victory jumped up to fourth place in the Isuzu Ute A-League table amid a tight race for the top six.
Melbourne Victory will next play the league-leading Auckland FC in a doubleheader at AAMI Park on Saturday, April 19.
Match Details
Isuzu Ute A-League Round 26
Wellington Phoenix 2 (Piper 10′, Retre 75′)
Melbourne Victory 3 (Velupillay 4′, Machach 45+1′, Vergos 50′)
Wellington Phoenix Starting XI: 1. Josh OLUWAYEMI (GK), 3. Corban PIPER, 4. Scott WOOTTON, 6. Tim PAYNE, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 9. Hideki ISHIGE, 14. Alex RUFER (C), 15. Isaac HUGHES, 19. Sam SUTTON, 25. Kazuki NAGASAWA, 27. Matt SHERIDAN
Substitutes: 35. Dublin BOON (GK), 5. Fin ROA CONCHIE (87′), 8. Paulo RETRE (56′), 18. Lukas KELLY-HEALD (56′), 29. Luke BROOKE-SMITH (56′), 39. Jayden SMITH, 41. Nathan WALKER (79′)
Melbourne Victory Starting XI: 1. Mitch LANGERAK (GK), 4. Lachlan JACKSON, 6. Ryan TEAGUE, 7. Daniel ARZANI, 8. Zinèdine MACHACH, 9. Nikos VERGOS, 14. Jordi VALADON, 17. Nishan VELUPILLAY, 21. Roderick MIRANDA (C), 22. Josh RAWLINS, 28. Kasey BOS
Substitutes: 25. Jack DUNCAN (GK), 5. Brendan HAMILL (65′), 10. Bruno FORNAROLI (80′), 16. Joshua INSERRA, 18. Fabian MONGE (80′), 23. Alex BADOLATO (65′), 27. Reno PISCOPO (56′)
